The Bible Does Math
Feb 4, 2007
I just finish reading Sam Harris’ Letter to a Christian Nation, which is a very good book. At one point he notes that the bible stipulates Pi is exactly 3. I wondered how such a book would lay out mathematical constants, but it’s pretty straightforward:
The sea was then cast; it was made with a circular rim, and measured ten cubits across, five in height, and thirty in circumference. Under the brim, gourds encircled it, ten to the cubit all the way around; the gourds were in two rows and were cast in one mold with the sea.
Kings 7:23-24
He also made the molten sea. It was perfectly round, ten cubits in diameter, five in depth, and thirty in circumference
II Chronicles 4:2
I must say that it’s a weak argument, because they could be simply approximations by an observer, but it’s funny nonetheless.